John Naylor Clayton

John Naylor Clayton’s exceptional life began July 2, 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up living in SLC; Seattle, WA; Rock Springs, WY; San Rafael, CA, and graduated from Highland HS in SLC. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hawaii from 1966 – 1968 and married his soul mate Janice Ellen Larsen in the Salt Lake Temple in 1971. John guided his family of four sons and five daughters by his faithful example until his death February 6, 2026, in Draper, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine in 1976, trained in General and Plastic Surgery for six years in Southeast Michigan, and practiced plastic surgery for thirty-five years with his father, two brothers, and later his son. He often repaired injuries for family and neighbor children on his kitchen counter. John was an accomplished percussionist and with his musical family and friends performed for hundreds of dances, community musicals, talent shows, and special events throughout his life. He especially enjoyed playing timpani for Draper Community’s annual production of Handel’s Messiah. John served faithfully in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including in Bishoprics, Elder’s Quorum and Young Men Presidencies, as a Stake High Councilor, and as a Primary and Sunday School teacher. He was a faithful home teacher and ministering brother. He enjoyed directing choirs and music for worship and began this calling, with Jan serving as organist, when they were newlyweds and continued until Fall 2025. He and Jan were blessed to serve as the music hosting couple at the BYU Jerusalem Center for three years and as temple ordinance workers in the Draper Utah Temple. His hobbies included gardening, emergency preparedness, ham radio, and shooting guns. He always kept candy in his suit jacket pockets and offered it to help kids sit quietly and listen in church. John will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John LeRoy and Farrell Naylor Clayton, honorable grandparents, and daughter Rebecca. He is survived by his wife Janice, and their children, John (Heidi) Clayton, Andrea (Trent) Dransfield, Sharon (Dan) Draper, Kristin (Spencer) Phillips, Matthew (Annie) Clayton, Carolyn (Hutch) Hicken, Adam (Jessica) Clayton, Daniel Clayton, thirty-five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and his brothers David (Allison) Clayton and Paul (Holly) Clayton. Funeral Services will be held at the Draper 8th Ward chapel, 1272 East Walden Lane, Draper, UT 84020, Saturday, February 14, at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 9:00 to 10:45 am. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity. Services Saturday may be followed virtually.

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